Lisa Elliott Interior Design

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Decor & Design 2024 event in Melbourne, a yearly gathering that’s a must for Melbourne Interior Designers looking to stay ahead of trends and innovations. Among the many highlights of the event, one experience stood out: listening to keynote speaker Abigail Ahern, a renowned UK designer whose work and energy have inspired me since I discovered her on Instagram during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. I’ve applied her design principles in my own home while transforming small spaces with high-impact design, and can be applied to create personalised interior design for luxury homes.

Back then, Abigail’s enthusiasm and innovative ideas were a beacon of creativity during uncertain times. Whenever I felt uninspired, her engaging talks and posts always helped me refocus and find new excitement for my projects. Seeing her live was no different; she radiates the same energy and passion in person as she does online. Despite being a bit tongue-tied, I mustered the courage to ask for a photo with her, marking a special moment of the event.

Abigail Ahern’s design principles deeply resonate with me, even though our styles differ. Her approach includes:

• Balance: Achieving harmony in a room through the careful distribution of elements.
• Friction: Mixing masculine and feminine elements to create dynamic spaces.
• Contrast: Using varying colors, shapes, and textures to add depth.
• Three Focal Points: Ensuring each room has multiple areas that draw the eye.
• Rhythm and Unity: Creating a cohesive flow through repeated patterns and colors.
• Restricted Color Palette: Limiting colors to three or four, but playing with saturation.
• Mirrors for Depth: Adding mirrors to enhance the perception of space.
• Layers, Patterns, and Textures: Using a rich mix of these elements to add interest.

Personalised interior design for luxury homes is one of the key fundamentals of design for me. One of her standout messages was the importance of defining the mood and feeling you want to capture in a design, then designing from the heart. She emphasised drawing inspiration from personal experiences, such as places traveled, hotels stayed in, and restaurants visited. This approach ensures that designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally resonant.

“Don’t think small—think cool.”

For home owners transforming small spaces with high-impact design, Abigail’s advice was particularly enlightening: “Don’t think small—think cool.” She suggested supersizing focal points like pendant lights above dining tables, incorporating large-scale artwork in small lounges, and embracing textures and patterns. Pools of light from various lamps can create a super cozy and inviting atmosphere, transforming any small space into a haven you never want to leave.

Several themes from AA’s talk resonated with me:

1. Defining the Mood/Feeling of a space aligns with our Client-Centric Design Approach. Designing from the heart and capturing the ideal mood for a room, workplace or home aligns with our value of focusing on our client’s vision and needs. Perfect for people who appreciate a personalised and emotionally resonant design approach.
2. Our Meticulous Attention to Detail can encompass the larger elements of a space, and drill down to the less obvious principles such as Balance and Contrast: The emphasis on achieving balance and using contrast in design reflects our commitment to creating harmonious and dynamic spaces. Ideal for those who value detailed and thoughtful design.
3. Creativity and Innovation: The idea of creating friction by mixing different design elements – masculine vs feminine, smooth vs rough, light vs dark, etc – showcases creativity and innovation, which are key aspects of our design philosophy. Perfect if you are looking for unique and imaginative designs.
4. Transforming Spaces into Inspiring Environments: The concept of designing spaces that are super cozy and inviting may seem simple, but we all want this at the end of a long day. Making you never want to leave is one of our goals . This resonates with those seeking a warm and welcoming atmosphere in their homes & work spaces.

In Conclusion

My time at Decor & Design 2024, especially the session with Abigail Ahern, was incredibly invigorating. Her ideas and energy continue to inspire me as I work on new projects, transforming small spaces with high-impact design, pushing me to create spaces that are not just beautiful but also deeply personal and welcoming; personalised interior design for luxury homes.

I’m looking forward to incorporating these insights into my designs and sharing more about the creative journey that lies ahead.

Warm Regards,

Lisa Elliott

I understand the importance of exceptional design when creating high-end, luxury spaces. Booking a Discovery Call with us gives you the opportunity to:

1. Collaborate on Your Vision: Share your project goals and creative vision. I’ll work with you to ensure the design integrates seamlessly with your architectural plan.
2. Anticipate Design Challenges: I’ll help you navigate potential challenges, like budget or construction complexities, to ensure your project runs smoothly.
3. Align on Process: Understand how I work, from concept development to detailed documentation, and ensure my approach supports your project timeline and quality standards.
4. Build the Right Partnership: A Discovery Call is a great way to see if I’m the right fit for your project, offering expertise that aligns with your design goals.

Let’s start a conversation and explore how we can bring your vision to life.

If you are planning a refurbishment, please explore our flexible Design Package Options designed to serve you for more information.

You’ve go no idea how grateful I am to have had you alongside my family. And the Salon’s everything I’ve dreamed of. You made it come alive! The opening was so amazing – very overwhelmed”

Absolu Hair Salon – Kara Mac Issac

So, why Hire an Interior Designer?

Many clients often overlook the value of hiring a professional interior designer, especially when embarking on high-end luxury builds. Some may believe that working solely with a builder and selecting finishes as they go will suffice. However, without a cohesive design vision, this often results in last-minute decisions, limited choices, and unforeseen costs due to changes or variations not accounted for by the builder.

Collaborating with a qualified interior designer from the start allows for strategic planning, ensuring that every aspect—layouts, finishes, and furnishings—are meticulously designed to align with both function and aesthetics. You’ll receive detailed drawings and material selections early on, allowing for competitive quoting and eliminating guesswork.

Beyond aesthetics, you require a highly trained, registered interior designer, particularly for complex luxury residential and commercial projects. This is not just about having a “good eye” for design; it’s about ensuring spaces meet regulatory standards, timelines, and a vision that enhances the overall architecture.

By working with a professional, you ensure a seamless process that saves both time and money while delivering a final product that matches your luxury project goals.

(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)

(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)

(please pin the below graphic to your pinterest board for reference)

Image: Omar Rodriguez @ormphotography